Catch free outdoor movies this summer at Porreco College of Edinboro University

‘Movies Under the Stars’ returns July 6 with Star Wars story

An epic saga about a rebel alliance in a galaxy far, far away. A young boy on a quest for vengeance against his family’s past. An orphan on a journey with his best friend, who happens to be a dragon.

Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and watch these stories unfold during Porreco College of Edinboro University’s “Movies Under the Stars,” which begins July 6 at 9 p.m. Presented in partnership with the Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania and hosted by filmmaker John C. Lyons, the free film series features three new releases for all ages.

“We are excited to kick off the summer with our free film series to provide family entertainment for the entire community,” said Lyons, the Information Technology Service Desk manager at EU and director of the Edinboro Film Series. “We’ve chosen three exceptional films to enjoy under the night sky.”

The 2017 schedule for “Movies Under the Stars”:

Thursday, July 6: “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (PG-13, 2 hours, 13 mins) – Directed by Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla”), the film follows a group from the Rebel Alliance on a quest to steal the blueprint for the Galactic Empire’s Death Star. “Rogue One” features Academy Award-nominated actress Felicity Jones (“The Theory of Everything”) and Diego Luna.

Arrive early for an all-ages drone demo, during which kids can fly drones in a controlled environment and learn about the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Drone Academy.

Thursday, July 13: “Kubo and the Two Strings” (PG, 1 hour, 41 mins) – In the feudal period of Japanese history, a young boy named Kubo searches for his father’s suit of armor to help him defeat vengeful spirits. Followed by a talking snow monkey and beetle, Kubo must learn to escape his family ghosts to unlock his secret legacy. The critically acclaimed animation features an all-star cast, including the voices of Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara and George Takei.

Thursday, July 20: “Pete’s Dragon” (PG, 1 hour, 42 mins) – A remake of the 1977 Disney classic, the film features the adventures of an 11-year-old orphan named Pete (Oakes Fegley) and his friend Elliot – who happens to be a dragon. The live-action fantasy drama follows Pete as he discovers friends and family in unexpected places.

Both admission and parking for the films are free. Weather permitting, attendees need only to bring outdoor seating to enjoy the films and the beautiful campus of Porreco College, located at 2951 W. 38th St. in Erie. All movies are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

In addition to associate degrees and certificate programs, Porreco College provides community-focused events at the Millcreek Township landmark campus. For more information about the Thursday night film series or Porreco College at Edinboro University, visit porreco.edinboro.edu, call (814) 732-1955 or follow Porreco College on Facebook.